Power driven work device



March 19, 1940. g, DRUMM I 2,194,297

POWER DRIVEN WORK DEVICE Filed Feb. 18, 1937. s Sheets-Sheet 1 [N VE N TOR 770 yd 2 1 2 "2.

A TTORINE Y E BY Maxh 19, 1940. F. DRUMM POWER DRIVEN WORK DEVICE Filed Feb. 18, 19:57 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 E BY )0 WM .QITTORNEY March 19, 1940. F, DRUMM 2,1'4,297

POWER DRIVEN WORK DEVICE Filed Feb. 18, 1937. 5 Sheets-Sheet s M II'HIHIHHIHHHH IHII'HHHHH" 11v VQENTOR F I 01 4? 22207 27 I ATTORNEY Mart 19, 1940. I DRUMM 2,194,297

POWER DRIVEN WORK DEVICE Filed Feb. 18; 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet. 4

11v VENTOR pig Floyd flrzzmnz.

A TTORNEY March 1 9, F. DRUMM 2,194,297

Y owmn DRIVEN WORK DEVICE Filed Feb. 18, 1937- 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VENTOR 7? 05 a fizz/ 7 72.

ATTORNEY other.

Patented Mar. 19 1940 UNITED STATES rowan DRIVEN Floyd Drumm, Lansing,

Power Lawn Mower 0 WORK DEVICE Mich, assignmto Ideal ompany, Lansing, Mich,

a corporation oi Michigan v Application February 18, 1937, Serial No.'126,350 2 Claims. (01. 15-83) This invention relates to power driven work devices, such as power brushes, power mowers, and the like. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, a work unit including a rotatable work element is detachably connected to a traction unit, including a power drive having a driven connection with both the traction wheels of the traction unit and the rotatable work element of the work unit.

In one embodiment of the invention the work element includes a rotary brush arranged to clean the ground, pavement, floors, etc., the brushings being received by a hopper arranged in operative relation to the rotary brush. In another embodiment of the invention the work element includes a rotary brush, but in this embodiment the brush is arranged at an angle so that the brushings are delivered to one side of thework unit. In another embodiment of the invention the work element includes a grass cutting reel.

In its broader concept the present invention resides in the combination of a traction unit with a detachable work unit opcratively associated therewith. More specifically, the invention resides in the details of construction of the work unit and the traction unit and the particular arrangement of these parts with respect'to each In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a power device embodying the present invention; Figure 2 is a partial top plan view of the device shown in Figure 1'; V Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line'a 4-4 of Figure 2; r

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5--5 of Figure 2; n

Figure 6.is a fragmentary side view taken on substantially the line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a power de- 9 vice embodying a modified form of the invention;

Figure 8 is a top in Figure 7; by

Figure 9 is a fragmentary top plan view of the drive connection shownfin Figure 7;

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on substantially the line |0l0 of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a partial side view of a power device embodying another modiflcation of the invention; and

plan view of the device shown a conventional manner.

I Figure 12 is afragmentary top plan view of the device'shown in Figure 11.

' The power device shown in Figures 1 to 6 inelusive includes a traction unit generally designated by the reference numeral I0 and a work 5 unit designated generally by the reference numeral H. The traction unit Ill includes'a frame l2 supported by a pair of traction wheels l3 and H and a trailer wheel IS. The traction wheels Hand 14 are associated with an axle i6 to which 10 the frame I2 is secured. I

At its rear end adjacent the trailer wheel IS the frame I2 is provided with a pair of guide handles I1 and I8 connected to the frame by the arrfns l9 and 20. The arms I9 and 20 are tied l6 together by a cross member 2|;

There are secured to the front of the frame l2 a pair of detachable brackets 22 and 23 which support a rod 24. Rod 24 is utilized in attaching the work unit H to the traction unit ill in a m manner which will be described presently.

The power unit 25, here shown in the form of an internal combustion engine, is mounted upon the frame l2. The power unit has projecting' therefrom a drive shaft 28' which acts through 2 I clutch 21 to drive an auxiliary shaft 28 (see Figures 2 and 4). Shaft 28 terminates in a box 29. Mounted upon shaft 28 within the box 29 is a gear 30 meshing with a gear 3| secured to auxiliary drive shaft 32. outwardly of the gear 30 o shaft 29 is provided with a driving sprocket 93. Auxiliary shaft 32 is provided with a driving sprocket 34.

A differential spider 35, including a sprocket 96, is associated with wheel I3 and axle IS in The sprocket '39 is drivfen from driving sprocket 34 by chain 31. A clutch 98 is associated with axle l9 and traction wheel I4 in a conventional manner. Wheels l9 and I 4 are thus driven from the power unit 25, the driving connection including the differential 35 and the clutch 38.

Clutch 2! associated with shaft 26 is actuated by lever 39 mounted upon the cross-tie 2| adjacent the guide handles i1 and I8. Lever 39 5 is operatively connected to the clutch by connecting'rod 40. Clutch 38 associated .with axle l9 and traction wheel'll is actuated by a lever 4|, also mounted upon the cross tie 2|) Lever H is connected to clutch 38 by a connecting rod 50 42. The manner in which the clutches 21 and 99 are utilized to control the operation of the work device will be described presently.

The work unit i i comprises a supporting frame and housing structure including the cross frame as bers 4| and 42 ,of the work unit The opposite extremities of the yokes 49 and 55 are pivotally connected to the rod 24 supported at the front end of the traction frame |2 by-the brackets 22 and 23.

A hopper 5| is detachably secured to the work unit frame in operative relation to the brush 41 through brackets 52 and 53. These brackets are best shown in Figures 3 and 6. As there shown, they have an adjustable connection with the end members 44 through means of the elongated openings 54. The brackets 52 and 55 are secured to the end frame member of the work unit by means of securing bolt and nut assemblies 55, the bolts extending through elongated openings 54. The free ends of brackets 52 and 53 are slotted at 55, as shown in Figures 3 and 6, to receive a threaded stud 51 rigidly secured to the upper flanged edge of hopper 5|. A nut 55 having a large handle attached thereto is threaded onto the free extremity of each of the studs 51.

When the nuts 58 are loosened upon the studs 51 the studs may be slid into or out of the slots 55 formed in the end of the brackets 52 and 53. when the studs are thus slid into the slots 55 and the nuts 58 tightened upon the studs 51, the hopper 5| is rigidly attached and becomes an integral part of the work unit. When the hopper 5| is removed from the brackets 52 and 53 the large hand grips associated with nuts 55 serve as a means for carrying the hopper.

The hopper 5| has an open face adjacent the brush 41, and is also open at the top. When installed as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the hopper partially encloses the forward portion of the brush 41. The edge of the bottom of the hopper adjacent the open face is formed with a raised flanged portion 59 and a depending flexible skirt 55. The skirt is preferably formed. of rubber, and projects beyond the edge of the hopper toward the brush. The sides of the hopper at points adjacent the flange 59 are also provided with retaining flanges 5| of limited width and height.

As best shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5, the brush supporting shaft 45 has secured to one end thereof exteriorly of the end member 44, a sprocket 45a. This sprocket is driven through a drive chain 52 by driving sprocket 33 mounted upon the drive shaft 25 and located within the gear guard box 29. Provision is made for maintaining drive chain 52 in operative engagement with both sprockets 45a and 33 through means of a chain tightener illustrated generally at 53.

It will be apparent from the description thus far that the arrangement of the parts is such that the rotary brush 41 is free to and does rest upon the surface which supports the traction wheels l3 and I4. Provision is made to swing the entire work unit I l including the brush 41, about its pivotal axis, represented by the traction unit frame member 24. This is accomplished by means of a lever 54 having its lower end pivotally connected to shaft 24. The upper end of lever 54 is connected to cross frame member 42 of the work unit I i by means of a chain 55. The upper end of lever 54 is connected to the traction unit III by means of a cable 55. The cable 55 is connected to the traction unit l through means of an operating lever 51 pivotally mounted upon the cross arm 2| adjacent guide handle i1. Operating lever includes a conventional form of ratchet arrangement whereby the same may be located in a plurality of different positions. When lever 51 is moved in a clockwise direction the work unit ll may be pivoted to a position where brush 41 is out of contact with the surface upon which the traction wheels l3 and i4 rest without removing the driving chain 52.

The operation of the work device shown in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive is as follows:

The device is propelled bustion engine 25 through its connection with traction wheels l3 and I4. These wheels are, of course, rotated in a counterclockwise direction by the driving chain 51. By reason of the gear arrangement previously described, brush 41 is rotated in a clockwise direction by the driving chain 52. Thus, as the entire work device is propelled forward, the brush 41 brushes its brushings into the hopper 5|.

Power unit 25 may be disengaged from both the traction wheels and the rotary brush 41 by operation of clutch 21. As previously mentioned, this is done by means of the operating lever 59. The power unit 25 may be disengaged from the traction wheels i3 and H to stop the forward movement of the entire device by operation of the lever 4| which disengages clutch 38. By disengaging clutch 35 the traction wheels l3 and i4 are stopped, but the rotary brush 41 is not. The device may then be moved manually or held stationary while the brush 41 continues to rotate. In order to accommodate brushings of different sizes or types of materials, the hopper 5| may be moved toward or away from the brush 41 so as to provide a narrower or wider space between the brush and the depending skirt 55 by adjusting the position of the supporting brackets 52 and 55. The position of the hopper may be adjusted to compensate forwear of the brush 41 by means of the adjustable connection between the brackets 52 and 53 and the end portions 44 of the brush housing.

The retaining flanges 59 and 5| formed adjacent the bottom of the hopper 5| about the open face thereof are adapted to prevent the brushings which are delivered to the hopper by the brush from dropping out of the hopper. By reason of the open top of the hopper, no back pressure is created against the brush 41 which would force the brushings out of the hopper around the sides thereof. In order to prevent the brushings from flying back into the face of the operator of the work device, there is provided over the top of the brush a shield 55 which is rigidly secured to cross frame member 42 by the supporting brackets 59 and 15.

The modified form of power device shown in Figures 7, 8, 9 and is of the same general character as that shown in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive, namely, a power brush. In the present modification, however, the brush is at an angle so that the brushings are delivered to one side of the device, and the necessity for a hopper is thereby eliminated. The only changes in the power brush shown in Figures 7 to- 10 inclusive over that shown in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive, are those made necessary by the character of the result by the internal comin Figures '1 to inclusive is referred to herein I as an angled brush, or side delivery type of power ment of the lever 81', there is provided an aux-.

brush.

The work unit IIa for the angled brush device comprises a frame made up of the cross members 69 and 10, and the end members 1I secured thereto. End members 1I support bearings 12 in which is rotatably mounted a shaft 13 carrying rotary brush 41'. The supporting frame also includes a pair of yoked brackets or connecting arms 14 and 15, rigidly secured to cross members 89 and 10, and which cooperate to support a cross rod 16. The cross rod 16 is supported by the brackets 14 and 15, so as to be non-rotatable with respect thereto. It is through the rod 16 that the work unit IIa is pivotally connected to the traction unit I0a of Figure '1.

Two changes only are necessary in the traction unit I0 shown in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive in order to adapt it for use with the work unit I Ia shown in Figures 7 and 8. One change is in the frame construction of the traction unit, and the other is in the construction and arrangement of the power drive connection with the power unit 25.

As clearly shown in Figure 8, the frame I2 of traction unit I0a is provided at its forward edge with an auxiliary frame 11 which takes the place of the supporting brackets 22 and 23 in the trac-- tion unit I0, as shown in Figure 10.- The auxiliary supporting frame 11 is detachably connected to the frame I2 by bolt and nut assemblies 18. At its forward edge the auxiliary supporting frame 11 is provided with a cross supporting member 19 arranged diagonally with respect to the direction of travel of the traction unit. Cross supporting member 19 is provided with upright bearnig brackets and 8|, which have a rotatable connection with rod 16 so that the work unit IIa may be pivoted about the axes of the aligned openings in the bearings 80 and-8I.

Provision is made to pivot the work unit Ila in the manner just described so as to lift the brush 41' away from the ground or the other surface upon which the traction unit is supported. This is accomplished by means of a lever 82 secured to one end of rod 16 through a non-rotat- In order to assist in holding the work unit Ila in any predetermined position selected by adjustiliary resilient support for the work unit consisting of the lever 83. the chain 84 and the spring 85. Lever 83 has one extremity rigidly secured to rod 16. Chain 84 has one extremity rigidly secured to cross frame member 69, and its other extremity secured to the lever 83. Spring 85 has one extremity secured to the lever 89 and its other end attached to the auxiliary supporting frame 11 through the connection indicated at 86.

The change in the power drive of traction unit I0 necessitated in order to accommodate that unit for use with the work unit IIa of the angled brush type, is best shown in Figures 9 and 10. As there shown, the'auxiliary drive shaft 32 of Figure 2 is lengthened as indicated at 32' to accommodate an additional driving sprocket 81. The driving sprocket 81 is adapted to transmit driving power to the angled brush 41 through a drive chain 88 which drives a sprocket 89 associated with gear 90. Gear 90 meshes with gear 9 I, which has associated therewith a driving sprocket 92. A driving chain 93 operatively connects the driving sprocket 92' with a driven sprocket 94 rigidly secured to the shaft 13 which carries rotary brush 41". The gears 90 and 9| are contained in a box 95 which is mounted upon the auxiliary supporting frame 11. g

The angled brush power device of Figures 7 to 10 inclusive may be controlled so that the driving connection to the traction wheels is disengaged without disengaging the driving connection to the rotary brush 1. This is accomplished by means of a clutch identical to that shown at 38 in Fig ure 2. Likewise, the driving connection to both the ppwer brush 41' and the traction wheels may be disengaged by actuation of the clutch as indicated at 21'.

The modified form of device shown in Figures 11 and 12 is a power mower including a traction unit I02) and a work unit ,I Ib pivotally and detachably connected to the traction unit. The traction unit I0b is substantially identical in all respects to the traction unit I0 shown in Figures Ito 6 inclusive.

The work unit IIb includes side frame members 96 and 91 which support a rotatable shaft 98 upon which is mounted a cutting reel 99. Side frame'members 98 and 91 are supported by a roller 99a and a wheel I00. A pair of generally L-shaped connecting arms IOI and I02 are rigidly secured to the side frame members 96 and 91. The longer legs of the connecting arms IOI and I02 are plvotally'connected to the cross rod 24" supported at the forward end of the traction unit I0b by the brackets 22" and 23".

Outwardly of the side framemember 96 there is secured to the drive shaft 98 a driving sprocket I03. Driving sprocket I03 is driven through chain I04 by driving sprocket I05 associated with drive shaft 32". It will, of course, be understood that the driving sprocket I05 is mounted upon the shaft 32 within the box 29" and is adapted to rotate the reel shaft 98 in a counter-clockwise direction. In other, words, the cutting reel of work unit I Ib is driven in the same rotary direction as are the traction wheels of the traction unit IIlb. In this respect the present modiflca-' the cross rod 24". The upper extremity of lever 64" is also connected by a cable 66" with an operating lever associated with the guide handles of the traction unit I0b. By suitable adjustment of the operating lever the work unit I lb may be pivoted about the rod 24" so as to lift it away from the ground or other surface upon which it rests when in operative position. This disengagement of the work unit II b from the working surface may be effected without removing the driving chain I04.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that this invention provides a novel form of power actuated device consisting of a traction unit and a work unit (of various kinds) operatively and detachably connected to each other. While only certain illustrative embodiments of the invention have been herein shown and described, it will be readily appreciated that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms of structure. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described, comprising a traction unit frame including a guide handle, a work unit frame arranged in spaced relation to the traction unit frame, a connecting arm rigidly secured to one end of the work unit frame and pivotally secured to the adjacent end of the traction unit frame, an adjustable connecting means associated with the work unit frame and the guide handle for maintaining the work unit frame in a plurality of its pivotal positions with respect to the traction frame, said adjustable means including a fulcrum lever pivotally secured to the traction unit frame, an operating lever mounted upon the guide handle, means connecting the free end of the fulcrum lever to the operating lever, and means connecting the free end of the fulcrum lever to the work unit frame.

2. In a device of the character described, a work unit adapted to be propelled in front of and by a traction-unit, comprising a frame, a pair of horizontally disposed arms connected to the frame for vertical adjustment with respect thereto, a hopper, and means connecting the hopper to said arms in a plurality of positions 1ongitudi nally of said arms.

FLOYD DRUMM. 

